The Cape Charles Town Council denied an appeal of the Historic District Review Board’s Decision for 206/208 Madison Avenue.
In November, during a rental inspection, the Code Official noticed the brick exterior on the front being painted. The home is a contributing structure. Code Enforcement then notified the Zoning Administrator, and a stop-work order was placed on the property.
The rear of the home was already painted prior to the stop-work order.
The applicant then applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to continue painting, noting in the application that the brick was porous and in need of repair, thus painting.
The HDRB approved the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness to retain the paint on the back south wall, with the condition that the applicant removes the painted area on the north front side and no further painting be done on the brick exterior on the duplex.
The applicant then appealed the decision, wishing to continue with repairing, sealing, and painting the remainder of the unpainted area of the north/front elevation, and to continue with the repairs of the other two sides of the building.
Councilman Steve Bennett told the applicant that Council was denying the appeal and that there were other ways besides painting to repair damaged brick, such as using a clear sealant.
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This sort of situation is exactly why I would never buy a home in a historic district. Someone else exerts control over how I safely maintain my home ? How I enjoy my home ? As if whitewash was never done many, many years ago. Ridiculous excessive control being exerted.
Unbelievable ……
I live across the street in a brick home. Both times I painted and sealed the brick I had to have approval for the appropriate historical color of paint. Is this the issue with the bright blue chosen for the paint color?